For their Champions League matchup with Arsenal, Real Madrid may be missing FOUR of their best players, including Kylian Mbappe.
This occurs after UEFA opened an investigation into their ‘indecent conduct’ following their victory against Atletico Madrid in the round of 16.
An Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been sent by UEFA to look into claims of offensive behaviour during the second leg of their round of 16 match on March 12 at the Wanda Metropolitano.
They are thought to be examining the celebrations that Mbappe, Vincius Jr., Antonio Rudiger, and Dani Ceballos had following the game.
Atletico reported their behaviour last week, according to reports in the Spanish media.
The players can get a punishment or possibly be barred from participating in UEFA competitions if they are prosecuted and proven guilty.
The quartet’s availability for the forthcoming Champions League matches against Arsenal may be impacted by this.
The Emirates Stadium will host the opening game on April 8; the Bernabeu will host the second leg on April 16.
It’s unclear, though, if the inquiry will be finished before they play the Gunners or how long the players’ punishment will be if they are found guilty.
A video of Rudiger seemingly making a throat-cutting gesture towards the Atletico supporters is one of the instances under investigation.
Social media videos also seem to capture Mbappe touching his crotch when Real Madrid was celebrating.
Based on a pattern set by UEFA in recent years, the French star may face punishment.
Jude Bellingham received a €30,000 fine for making a similar gesture during last summer’s Euro 2024.
After scoring a late equaliser in England’s 2-1 victory against Slovakia in the round of 16, he was also given a one-match suspended penalty for grasping his crotch.
Diego Simeone, the manager of Atletico Madrid, was fined €20,000 in 2019 for a similar celebration during a Champions League match against Juventus.
He celebrated Jose Maria Giminez’s goal in a 2-0 victory by turning to the supporters and grabbing his crotch.
A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been assigned to look into claims of indecent behaviour by Real Madrid CF players (Antonio Rüdiger, Kylian Mbappé, Daniel Ceballos Fernández, and Vinicius Junior) during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF on March 12, 2025, according to a statement from UEFA.
“Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.”
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